Electric RV Startup Grounded Announces G1 Camper Van

Detroit-based startup Grounded is poised to shake up the RV industry with the announcement of the G1 electric camper van. The vehicle features a host of innovations, including an all-electric drivetrain, a fully-customizable interior, and smartphone integration to control and monitor its high-tech systems. But perhaps most surprising of all is that the Class B model will begin shipping next month, making it one of the first fully-electric RVs to go on sale in the US.

Photo Credit: Grounded

An Electric Class B

The Grounded G1 rides on the Ford E-Transit platform, giving it 266 horsepower and 317 lb.-ft. of torque. The vehicle has a range of 108 miles, with its onboard batteries powering not just the electric motors but all appliances, lighting, and other amenities. A 650-watt solar panel array adds to the capacity, allowing owners to live off-grid for extended periods.

Other features that set the G1 apart include a modular interior that reportedly allows for nearly infinite customization and smartphone connectivity via the Grounded+ app. The vehicle’s modularity is an essential part of its production, while the app integration provides unprecedented interactivity for owners.

“Imagine finishing up a cold hike and using your Grounded+ app to start your van and
heat up the cabin before you get back,” says company founder and CEO Sam Shapiro in a press release. “The G1 is shaping a new future for connected electric RVs.”

Photo Credit: Grounded

Origin Story

Shapiro, who previously worked at SpaceX as a software engineer for Starlink, was inspired to create an electric RV after building his own camper van during the pandemic. That vehicle provided the freedom to travel the country but also brought some unexpected challenges. During his journey, he encountered costly mechanical failures, high gas prices, and campsites choked with emissions from gas-powered engines. This got him thinking about all the ways electric RVs could improve the camping experience.

After returning home, he started exploring ways to build an e-RV and bring an electric vehicle to market. That involved not just finding an electric platform to serve as the chassis for the camper van but developing a way to quickly and easily build custom interiors for clients. Shapiro launched Grounded in August of 2022 to overcome those challenges and make his vision a reality.

The introduction of the Ford E-Transit van solved the challenge of finding a reliable platform to build upon. But based on his own experience Shapiro knew that making a camper van can be expensive and time-consuming. To streamline that process, he and his design team devised an approach that uses modular furniture, appliances, and other components in unique ways. Exactly how it works is part of Grounded’s secret sauce, but he promises customers will have plenty of options for customizing their vehicles.

“We’ve worked to create something new that’s inspired by Scandinavian simplicity and
function,” Shapiro says. “Optional components include a queen-sized bed, kitchen with a convection oven, dry-flush toilet, seating for anywhere from two to eight occupants, an outdoor shower, and more.”

Photo Credit: Grounded

Streamlined Production

Prior to the launch of the G1, RV.com had a chance to sit down with Shapiro and ask him some questions. He tells us that the modular interior is one of the critical aspects of the camper van. So much so that it has allowed Grounded to leapfrog past some of the more prominent brands in the industry to start shipping its RVs in April 2023. Yep, you read that right—the G1 will be available starting next month.

“We already have our first client standing by to taking delivery of three vans,” Shapiro says. “And thanks to our modular build process, we can get products into customer hands very quickly.”

The founder and CEO tells us that existing RV supply chains are both a blessing and a curse. While they allow other brands to efficiently build motorhomes and travel trailers, it can be challenging for them to pivot to making electric vehicles. And while Grounded faced its own obstacles, it has leveraged the Ford E-Transit chassis and its modular build process to scale up quickly.

The van’s modular interior doesn’t have to remain static, either. Shapiro says that the individual components can be moved and altered to fit the changing needs of owners. Grounded will even sell the modular pieces separately, making it possible to add another bed, upgrade the kitchen, or add a workspace, for instance. In this way, the G1 becomes more versatile, adapting over time.

Photo Credit: Grounded

Integrated Technology

As noted, the G1’s other standout feature is its integrated electronic components that can be monitored and operated via the Grounded+ app. To accomplish that, the company built its own proprietary software system that provides essential information on usage patterns and diagnostic tools. It also gives owners control of the HVAC system, lighting, and other features.

“We wanted to create the “Tesla app” for RVs,” Shapiro says, referencing the electric car company’s award-winning software. “The app is a single source of information and control.”

Some of this functaionlity has been seen in other RVs before, but Grounded is taking it to a new level. For example, the smart app can tell you how much range is left in the G1’s batteries and how long it will take to cahrge. It can also connect with the van’s appliances, like the stove or water heater, to help owners montior power consumtion. The app will even let you know how much energy you’ve saved by turning off certain features. In short, it is an integral part of the G1 ownership experience.

Photo Credit: Grounded

A Subscription Model

Grounded is innovating outside the camper van too. The company’s goal is to get its vehicles into the hands of as many customers as possible, which means coming up with new ways for clients to get one. Those options include purchasing or leasing a G1, of course, but customers can also opt into a subscription model. This allows them to pay a monthly fee to use the vehicle for a set period of time.

“Initially, the cost of the subscription model will be $2,300 per month with a minimum of a one year commitment,” Shapiro tells RV.com. “This gives customers a chance to experience the RV lifestyle and see if it is the right fit for them.”

The subscription service launches alongside the G1 in April, and the Grounded CEO expects it to be a popular option. While on paper, the price tag sounds expensive; the van can serve as a home on wheels for full-time RVers, remote workers, or anyone who travels regularly. In that context, it becomes somewhat on par with a house or rent payment, although, in this case, your house can go  just about anywhere. Shapiro also notes that a lease-to-own option is on Grounded’s roadmap, allowing subscription users to purchase their vehicle outright should they choose.

All of this is just the beginning for this new EV/RV company. With the G1 officially announced, Shapiro and the team at Grounded aren’t resting on their laurels. A G2 camper van is already slated for release this summer, offering many of the same benefits of the original RV but with a range of up to 250 miles. That should help quell the range anxiety with some owners, although the new model will likely come with a higher price tag.

To learn more about the G1—and Grounded in general—visit the company’s website. There, you’ll find out how to reserve an electric camper van of your own and begin the process of customizing the vehicle to suit your needs.

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